Microblog: A type of blog that lets users publish short text updates. Bloggers can usually use a number of service for the updates including instant messaging, e-mail, or Twitter. The posts are called micro posts, while the act of using these services to update your blog is called microblogging.

When Twitter was first introduced in 2006, I think the general thought among everyone but the early adopters was, why on earth would anyone be interested in knowing every little thought I have? This was followed by a brief period of resistance, and then Twitter became the fastest growing social network and somehow gained hundreds of millions of users. What’s cool about the concept of microblogging is that it gives you a snapshot into someone’s day. Not a whole blog post or photo album on Facebook, just a thought, maybe with a picture. Fits in with the fast-food society thing. Did you know Hashtags were originally to look at trending topics? They still serve that purpose but now they’re more of a way to indicate an emotion with a tweet or just a funny addition. Oh, and people use them in everyday conversation. #MindBlown

So somewhere along the lines, tweets went from being a snapshot into someone’s day to being a snapshot into someone’s mind. They #transformationtuesday-ed into emotional posts about frustrations at work or blessings from family and friends or political opinions or prayers about the weather…

And then, people started to develop emotional connections or offenses to tweets they would see. Maybe they don’t agree with how I feel about my boss. Or maybe they think I shouldn’t categorize “things” as “blessings.” OR, maybe, they don’t like the President in office like I do (I know, shoot me.) Or maybe, they like the negative wind chills and two feet of snow when they walk to class… and maybe, they want their opinions to be voiced, without directing attention at me.

And then… the birth of the subtweet. According to Urban Dictionary,

It’s the shortening of “subliminal tweet” which is directly referring to a particular person without mentioning their name or directly mentioning them and it basically indicates that the tweet in which the hashtag is used is a subliminal tweet.

To sum it up, it’s passive aggression. It’s almost like talking bad about someone behind their back, except to their face without saying it’s them. For a light-hearted example:

@Me: Man, I wish this weather would clear up. I’m ready for some sunshine. #Spring

@SomeoneElse: I’m so sick of your complaining. The weather is not going to change because of twitter. #Winter

Or, maybe the disagreement did not happen on Twitter. A more modern, accurate picture:

(You can tell this isn’t a real friend because she doesn’t know already. The real friend ★’d it.

Other than the fact that this is completely inappropriate, it’s whiny and kind of annoying. When I get on Twitter, I’m looking for an escape. No, not a timeline of ambiguous, vague and attention-seeking posts. If we wanted a diary of your emotions, we would have broken into your room and read your diary by now. And if you don’t have a diary, invest in one.

Maybe I’m just blunt. I don’t know. Here are the issues I see:

It is an effort to hurt someone.

You sound annoying.

It’s an immature action, and makes you appear childish.

You sound annoying.

It’s a half-empty glass way of life.

So I was thinking, I’m not going to change the world by posting a blog about this. But maybe in my small corner of the world, we could try something else.

I like genuine people who are real and have real problems. I’m not saying we should act like cupcakes and unicorns in the online-world. But maybe we could be passive aggressive about something else. Something that doesn’t have anything to do with other people.

If you’ve read the saga of my most embarrassing moment, it probably won’t surprise you that I have IBS, or Irritable Bowel Syndrome. Frequently when I eat food, my stomach seeks revenge. So I was thinking the other day, I should subtweet my stomach.

@Challegra: You think you can just interrupt my entire day and monopolize my schedule? Maybe you should get a hobby. #Subtweet #IBSProbs

@Challegra: When I have to lay in bed for 5 hours because of the pain you bring, I’m not going to be in the best mood next time you talk to me. #Subtweet #IBSProbs

…Maybe your issue is the weather. You could subtweet the weather.

@YourUserName: I’m not going to sit here and pretend like everything’s okay. This has to stop. #Subtweet #WeatherProbs

@YourUserName: Stare at me in the face all you want. You are not in my top priorities anymore. #HomeworkProbs #Subtweet

@YourUserName: You think you can use me for my intelligence and then leave until you need me again? I’m over this. #HomeworkProbs #Subtweet

This method is a little bit of a stretch as it requires a little more creativity, but it will make you a better person because of it! I think it could really catch on. Let me know if you’re joining the subtweet movement!

The truth is, when it comes to Campus Center, you either love it or you hate it–but most MNU students fall in-between.

When students come to visit–for example, SCOUT, Senior Visit Day, MAX–the food is at an all-time high. Everyone is in a good mood because there are actual food choices that we can live with. I mean, the Campus Center staff spoils the newbies; they shower them with grilled food, special dips, soups that taste good, and other delights. The bread is always fresh; the fruit is hand-picked from the ripest trees, and the desserts are to dies for.

But when there is no one to impress, everything changes.

Now, I’m not saying that the food is terrible–because it’s not. Compared to most Nazarene schools, MidAmerica has the most choices to choose from, and the taste of it is at least a 7.5 on a scale from one-ten.

But I am saying, once you’ve been around for longer than a semester–long enough to gain the freshman fifteen–everything starts to taste the same…and that, my friends, is no bueno.

However, where there are cons, there are plenty of pros.

If the food sucks that night:

–There are always sandwiches and wraps at the sandwich bar–you can never go wrong with a sandwich and chips.

-There’s a waffle maker…YUM

-There’s at least six different cereal types to choose from.

-There’s soup!

-There’s so much ice cream…I’m not even sure what all the flavors are.

-And, as of recently, they’ve added to baby grills–that’s endless opportunities right there!

IF all else fails, you can buy a packet of Ramen Noodles for 97 cents at Walmart.

Oh, but I’m not done yet. There are two special days that MNU students can’t get enough of: Wednesday nights and Thursday lunches.

Wednesday Nights are typically called meat nights. There are usually steaks, fried chicken strips and shrimp to choose from–those are the normal choices, but they differ from time to time. And every now and then, we have theme night; it could be all Japanese food, all French food, or all Brazilian food–you really never know until you get there, and really, a lot of the food is quite good.

So this week has been super crazy! I had two interviews, two tests, and was in a van with seven other people for a total of fourteen hours this weekend! Its been quite the adventure!

This past weekend I got the chance to travel with a worship team and also the Improv team here at MNU. We went to Cedar Rapids, Iowa, which is about seven hours away from Olathe. There was so much to this trip and we had so much fun! All of this caused me to forget to take pictures of everything. I am deeply sorry about this, but I can tell you that we all had a wonderful time there. We were also all kind of worried about the weather because there was supposed to be some significant snowfall right when we were going to be heading out for Iowa and also when we were heading back! We ended up being perfectly fine and had no troubles getting there and back. It was definitely an answer to prayer.

So that is just a little summary of what’s been happening in my life here at MNU lately. Things can get pretty overwhelming sometimes with business of homework and social life, but I know for me personally, it is stretching me every single day to realize how to handle situations and balance everything in my life. Through every trial in life there is a lesson to be learned. Here’s a verse that’s applicable to that!:

“Consider it pure joy, my brothers whenever you face trials of many kinds, because you know that the testing of your faith produces perseverance. Let perseverance finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything.” -James 1:2-4

If you haven’t read the book of James, go read it NOW. It’s full of wonderful things. :]

Also:

“Whatever you do, work heartily, as for the Lord and not for men, knowing that from the Lord you will reviece the inheritance as your reward. You are serving the Lord Christ.” -Colossians 3:23-25

I think this is exactly what worship is. We can give God the glory in everything we do and work at everything will all of our strength because we know we are serving the Lord Christ. :] Even if it’s something as simple as doing our homework.

So guys, sorry I don’t have a lot, but be expecting a video of one of our basketball games next week! We are hosting a tournament here and I hope the video helps you get a better view of how these sporting events take place here at Mid-America!

So this week happened to be SCOUT. Basically if you are unfamiliar with this term, this event is a time where high school students get to come see what it is like being at MNU. They get to spend the night with some current students, attend classes, and get information on the school. It really is a fun event! My sister and some of her friends came up from my high school this Thursday night. We hung out and they asked some questions. One question that they seemed really curious about (as simple as it was) “Sooo… like, what do you do? Besides class… What do you do on the weekends and when you have free time and what not?”

Here are some of the girls that stayed with me for SCOUT. My lovely sister is the one on the end (left).

I saw some posts in the MNU Graduating Class of 2018 (shoutout peeps!) and thought…. you know this would be kind of a fun blog! So without further ado… I present to you…

“Soo I’m done with class and I don’t have any homework… What do you want to do?”

Answers:

Duhh, half-priced apps!

Ok soo this one we do probably the most frequently besides movie nights (which consist of almost every night) and naps (because you have to recover from your late night apps run). Applebee’s has become a weekly thing for most Pioneers. I mean 3 bucks for some good food… Why not? It really is the highlight of most of my weeks.

Hey we can watch a movie in Lanpher Basement!

Ok so hanging out in the basement is more of a freshman thing… but regardless we have plenty of movie nights… and when it is not open-dorms the basement/lobby is a good place to go!

Eh, I’m gonna take a nap.

Ok this is by far the most frequent one, or the one every student wishes was the most frequent one. I mean you have to recover from your late night extravaganzas… Am I right?

Welp we always got Apple’s to Apples.

Board games are sometimes a go to… and what better group game than Apples to Apples?

It’s a Tuesday right? BWW’s?

This is more like a special treat… But cheap wings?! They are great

Oh wait it’s Sunday… 50 cent bowling!

We haven’t done this too much yet, but recently my friends discovered that there is a bowling alley not too far from campus that has a pretty good Sunday deal!

We could go to the library… and “study”

Ok let’s be real about 2 things:

1. You always have homework. Even when you “don’t” have homework… you still have homework. Its the college life.

2. Even if you do have homework, if you get a study room with a group… you probably aren’t going to get much done. There have been some instances where they have been very productive, but most of the time not so much…

Uh… hello there is an intramural basketball game… Can’t miss that

Ya so intramural basketball games are pretty fun to watch. And I am sure they are fun to play too…. I just wouldn’t know 😉 Anyways you have some good, competitive teams and then you have some teams that just go to have fun. It is always a blast!

Here are the Dribblers… One of my personal favorites to watch. (photo cred to whoever put this on facebook ) They really are the Dream Team though!

*Sit on the couch while waiting for a good hour to decide that you are actually too tired to do anything and that sitting on a couch for an hour was a complete waste of time*

And sadly this is true most nights……. We over think too much.

Anyways I hope this gave you a picture of some of the things we do for fun! Obviously there are plenty of ASG events (movie nights, late night munchies, different holiday parties, etc.) and there are plenty of hall/dorm events that your R.A. plan out, but this is just a look at a normal, nothing-to-do night. The great thing about MNU and college life is that you live with all of your best friends, so even the boring things are fun and exciting!

Thanks for stopping by!

Haley

Playing with friends, particularly with the inclusion of balloons, never a bad idea.

Whether it would be watching TV, playing a sport, drawing (for me its more like doodling), getting on Facebook, Instagram, Pinterest (I don’t do Pinterest, but I know peeps that do…. dancing, working-out, playing video games-LITERALLY WHATEVER “floats your boat”, there is a time and a place where Pleasure and Play is necessary.

Yes I said necessary.

God did create the Sabbath as a time of rest. That’s back in Genesis 2:2-3. Jesus Christ even said that the Sabbath was made for man (Mark 2:27). Observing and resting on the Sabbath (originally our Saturday) was done in order that human beings would keep their sanity and not succumb to becoming workaholics.

“Every good and perfect gift is from above…” -James 1:17. Paraphrasing words from C.S. Lewis:
The Lord is disappointed with our desires. Disappointed because our desires are too weak. Every pleasure and good thing has been created by God. Sure Satan can twist good things and pervert them, to where they become unhealthy.
But Truly, Every single good thing is from God and He does like for us to play, rest, and take pleasure in good fun things!!

Working, studying, paying bills, budgeting, are great things. But I will argue that part of being responsible is living a full life.
A full life must be a balanced life. Following Christ includes knowing JOY :D. It’s one of the results or “fruits” from the Holy Spirit (2nd on the list right after Love and before Peace and Patience Galatians 5:22-23).

So, please be aware that a full life means having fun and enjoying time to relax, rest, recharge, and LIVE.

First and foremost, I seriously hope you enjoyed that video! (Things You Just Don’t Hear MNU Students Say.) Shout out to those who created it…cuz it was amazing! (P.S. I watched it like five times the day it aired…)

Anyway, on to other news, today is an exciting day because it’s SCOUT!!!

SCOUT simply stands for Students Checking Out University Turf. Basically, Juniors, Seniors, and even Freshman or Sophomores, come to campus on a Thursday and Friday. It’s an overnight event where students will get the chance to sleep in the dorms (exciting), attended a few classes of their choosing (also exciting) and eat in our cafeteria!!! (VERY exciting!!!….Uh, kinda…more or less….we’ll talk about that in a different blog.)

But the besides all of that, they will get the chance to experience student life–which is what’s important. There’s basketball games, open mic, Land Gym, and a whole heap of events. Unfortunately, this is the last SCOUT event of this school year, but if you’re interested in attending the one on the fall, you can sign up right here: http://www.mnu.edu/undergraduate/events.html#scout

So my Birthday is this week…like tomorrow!!! And, I know I sound really excited, but, to be honest, I think it’s just going to feel like another day to me. I think that’s what happens when you age..or maybe it’s just me. But here’s a fun fact: My sister and I (who is two years older than me), share the same birthday. Well, not technically, she was born on February 29th, but since that day only comes once every four years, we share. The neat thing, though, is that she’s pregnant…and has just started to go into labor–that’s INSANE!!!! If I have to share my birthday with two other people, I’m going to go bonkers. I love sharing, but this…this is WOW. Though, it’ll be a great birthday present. I mean, who doesn’t want a human for their birthday?!?!?!?!

Here’s a photo of my sissy and I on our birthdays! Happy Birthday, Precious!

I’d like to start by giving a shout out to Jordan Warren, member of the Pioneer Class of 2018. He asked the question, “What really goes on when class is out of session?”

Answer: MNU PD.

…well, maybe not after every class. Hopefully this will paint the picture:

One Sunday afternoon, my friend Konner and I got this idea to make a video speculating a day in the life of our very own Campus Safety, with influences from hit TV shows The Office and Reno 911. A trip to Goodwill and a few phone calls later, this video was created.

What’s interesting about this video is that we ad-libbed the whole thing and made up the plot as we were going. Also interesting: no one in the video was friends before it was created. I had never met JT or interacted with Cole. I called up Sean (Officer Mahoney,) who I only knew from class, and Lauren, who only knew Konner and myself.

Needless to say, a force to be reckoned with was born that day, and I’m happy to call them all my friends.

Jordan (and any other future Pioneers out there,) I hope this captures a little bit of the community on campus, and I hope you like this video!

So this weekend I had the privilege of going on a retreat called Epiphany, and wow was this amazing! There were about 50 of us from MNU there, and a couple people from other colleges as well! This retreat was about finding our calling, or really, figuring out what our vocation or occupation should be.

When this retreat was over, I didn’t really experience an epiphany.. (sigh) but I did gain a lot of clarity about who I am in Christ, and that my vocation right now is to let God work through me to further His kingdom in this world. This retreat focused a lot on our joys and our sorrows, and how we can enter into community and share with one another in our joys and sorrows. Then, when we come together and share in those things, we can lift them up to God and let him use those things however He wants to. It was wonderful to be a part of such an amazing community of people this past weekend who are passionate about spreading the love of Christ into the world. I feel beyond blessed to just be a part of it. So here are some pictures of the place we stayed at!

How could I post a blog without putting a sunset/cloud picture in it? :] That’s right. I can’t. This was on the way to the retreat! This place is called YouthFront and it’s absolutely beautiful!

This was the really long sidewalk/trail that we had to walk up and down every day to get to our cabins! This was definitely a work out.

We got some free time to explore around the place on one of the afternoons, and this is what I found. Isn’t it amazing? :] I was surrounded by tree’s with a beautiful view of a lake. This for sure was a place of quietness and peace that I most definitely needed.

This is another view of the lake at a different angle!

This building was where our chapel services were held. I know everything looks so dead right now because of the weather, but It really was pretty cool looking while we were there.

This is a view of the inside of the Chapel. These services were really traditional. We sat around the outside of the chapel while someone who lives at the camp played worship songs/hymns while we all sing together. He also would read some scripture and we’d all pray together. I really enjoyed this because they let us stay in there even after the prayer time was over, so a lot of people would just stay and pray for as long as they wanted to. It was quite refreshing to have that time just to sit in the Lords presence.

This is a picture of what our discussions looked like. These were amazing and very insightful!

One of my favorite things about this retreat was that they offered coffee to us, pretty much the whole time we were there. It was wonderful, and I definitely took advantage of it. :]

Well guys, that’s all I have for this week. Once again, this was another amazing opportunity I got to have spending time with an amazing community of believers and encouraging one another in our faith. I am refreshed.

If you are out of the loop, football in America has been over since the Superbowl (who knew?)

..But that doesn’t mean our Athletic office and football players have been sitting quietly.

This semester, about 700 recruited football players, all from California, have transferred in to start morning workouts and practices.

Also from California, MNU’s newest Head Football Coach: Brian Willmer! Coach W is the 6th head football coach in the program’s history. He coached at Azusa Pacific University and was an integral part of leading the Cougars to become conference champs in 2013 after just their second year in NCAA Division 2!

For those who don’t know, MNU is NAIA Division 1- so we are thrilled to have the experience of Coach Willmer on campus!

Along with professional success comes his personal success, as Coach Willmer has a gorgeous wife and 5 beautiful children. So long SoCal, kids, welcome to Kansas!

Here are some pictures from the press conference on campus last week:

President Spittal opening the conference

Athletic Director Kevin Steele introducing Coach Willmer

MNU’s new head coach!

Coach Willmer and Kevin Steele taking questions during the conference

Coach if you need a babysitter, I wasn’t joking about wanting to be best friends with your children.